Why Lp(a) Matters
Lp(a) — lipoprotein(a) — is a cholesterol-carrying particle that is structurally similar to LDL but with an additional protein called apolipoprotein(a) attached. Your Lp(a) level is almost entirely genetically determined. Diet, exercise, and most medications do not significantly change it.
Elevated Lp(a) independently increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease. It does this through multiple mechanisms: it promotes plaque formation, it interferes with the body's clot-dissolving system, and it drives inflammation in artery walls.
Lp(a) Reference Ranges
- Desirable: Below 30 mg/dL (or below 75 nmol/L)
- Borderline: 30–50 mg/dL
- Elevated: Above 50 mg/dL (or above 125 nmol/L)
Is Lp(a) Tested in a Standard Physical?
No. Lp(a) is almost never included in standard bloodwork. Most people have never been tested for it.
